Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-14

chief, and modern Irish-party man.
acer. He began life AZ a clerk, then as
O newspapcr-man. For all the marks
that journalism has left upon him he
might equally we'll have been sailor
or an astronomer. He has that uni
versal quality Of strength which over
shadows, wipes out all traces OF begin
nings. He perfectly fits the place that
he is in, and You cannot see that any
mere question OF early occupation or
training could have kept him out OF it.
He is Of an almost painfully acute
and alert temperament. He notes
every thing, comprehends everything.
remembers everything, anticipates
everything. In this matter of all
around presciencc men class him along
with Gladstone. These are the only
two men in the House who thoroughly
understood in all its possible bearings
and notifications any great and COM
Pile ated measure like the Irish land
bill. The day after such scheme is
produced Healy will have at his finger
ends every positive detail, every
Imaginable flaw, every conceivable con-
sequence of the intricate whole. he
~ tirelsss in his willingness to put all
this knowledge at the service OF his
colleagues, explaining, quoting, sug.
gostinP, with wearying iteration yet
nover-failing patience to the slower
men. This is. the Healy whom the
Irish members know-a comrade OF
wide parliamentary information, OF
preternatursl keenness of scent for
points pro and con, of shrewd fore
sight, Of untiring energy, and OF deep
devotion to the cause.
The Healy whom the English know
might be Of another world. OF all the
fierce, bitter. coldly ferocious assailants
who have lifted their voices in st. Ste
phen's against British rule these last
dozen years, Healy is the one whose
knout-lash tongue has raised the big
Cest and reddest welts. To see him in
his place just below the gangway, stand
ing with pale, set face boldly uplifted
against the tiers of seated Tories oppo-
site TO hear the terrific tongue-lashing
which he alone cen lay upon them
the scorn. invective, biting sarcasm,
burning wrath-is to have an expe-
rience not to be matched in any other
psrliament-house OF Europe. In the
use Of ieering satire, which amid
laughter cuts to the bone, he has no
rival save Sir William Harcourt, and no
equal in him. When we bear in mind
that this man, who was as poor vii
lage boy earning his own living at the
age of thirteen, is six years younger
than Lord Randolph Churchill, and
vet commands the ear of the House as
readily a. does that son of a duke, 1t
must he admitted that his qualities and
his position are alike phenomenal. 1t
is not strange, perhaps, that where adj
vance has been so swift the progress
should be unequal Mr.. Healy is not
yet altogether master of himself. HIS
passionate tongue runs away from con-
troll on occasion. He says things In
heat which the next moment he would
DO much to recall. He is goaded into
boisterous behavior in the House which
no one regrets more an hour after than
does be. Doubtless these are weak
nesses which time will repair
The Healv whom intimate friends
know differs widely from both the vigl-
liant, working political manager
Ct tie Irish committee-rooms and the
titter-tongued tribune of the House OF
Commons. He has taught himself
French, German, and Spanish, aud
Knows the choicest treasures OF each
terature. He has perennial fund OF
lumor. bright as it is original. He Is
The idol of clever children, to whose
entertainment it is his delight to de-
vote himself. Strangers who meet him
are apt to get an impression of reserve,
sometimes almost Of Indifference, from
his manner, which really is due to shy
ness. This boldest and fiercest assall-
.nt of English misrule, this resolute
drawer of Tory outcries and tho Speak
er's authority, is in truth very dill
dent young man.